Since our inception in the fall of 2019, all members of the TRL are encouraged and mentored to present their cutting-edge research at symposia, meetings, conferences, and conventions around the world. Names in bold are current or former MHCR employees or our research affiliates.

Invited Talks

Sherwood, N. R. (2023). The Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation and the Power of Insider Reconcilers in Global Reconciliation Processes. Conflict Early Warning Analytics & Policy Project, McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts – Boston. Virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. & Adamson, H. J. (2023). Insider peacebuilders are needed to sustain peace. Peer Exchange on improving support for Insider Mediators. European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI), European External Action Service (EEAS), Think Peace Hub, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Virtual.  

Sherwood, N. R. & Rausch, C. (2021). Human centered peacebuilding: The importance of building resilience & understanding neuroscience. #reconciliation Living Room for Mediators and Peacebuilders. Virtual.

Sherwood, N. R., Hill, O. T., Johnston, A. & Vaughn, K. (2021). Evidence review: MHCR’s understanding of reconciliation theories of change (ToCs). United States Institute of Peace. Washington, DC, USA.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). RCID Lab methodology workshop: Participatory action research (PAR). George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Htewish, M. & Sherwood, N. R. (2020). What is humanitarian aid? George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Sherwood, N. R. (2020). The power and importance of networking. George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Panels

Sherwood, N. R., Gjeloshi, B., Dakoala, W. A., Adamson, H. J., Ali, G. A. & Pentikäinen, A. Y., (2023). New Frontiers in the Wellbeing of Reconciliation Practitioners. Carter School Spring 2023 Peace Week, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Sherwood, N. R., Reuter, T. K. & Patterson, A. (2023). Why international relations needs mental health: A new nexus of research, theory, and practice. International Studies Association 2023 Convention, Montréal, Canada.

Sherwood, N. R., Michael, K., Walter, R., Holgado, R., Goffe, A. & Cassar, C. (2022). A new realm of peacebuilding: Exploring the intersection of community, play, wellbeing & resilience. Carter School Fall 2022 Peace Week at George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Sherwood, N. R., Gjeloshi, B., Adamson, H. J., Hill, O. T., Kitchen, J. K. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2022). Who are insider reconcilers? A qualitative exploration of grassroots peacebuilders engaged in intergroup reconciliation processes after violent conflict. International Association for Reconciliation Studies Conference 2022, Arlington, VA, USA.

Sherwood, N. R., Adamson, H. J., Cassar, C., Hill, O. T., Gjeloshi, B., Mattix, M. K., Namachanja Wanjala, T., Olad, R. A., Stauffer, C. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2022). Who are insider reconcilers? Binding the theory and practice of reconcilers operating in their own communities. Carter School Spring 2022 Peace Week at George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Sherwood, N. R., Jackson, A., Olad, R., Lewis O’Donnell, M. & El Tayar, M. (2021). The psychological wellbeing of peacebuilders during COVID: The impact of peer support groups. American Psychological Association 2021 Convention, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R., Adamson, H. J., Cassar, C., Hill, O. T., Mattix, M. K. (2022). Cultivating Professional Development for the Next Generation of Peacebuilders. International Association for Reconciliation Studies – 2022 World Conference on Reconciliation at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Arlington, VA, USA. 

Eggars, K., Sam Frazier Hediger, Hill, O.T., Jalali-Shirazi, P., Matis, K.S., Nelson, H.D., Rohmer, A.R., Simmons, S. (2022). “Sensemaking in Ukraine: A Peace Engineering and Participatory Methods Showcase.” Carter School Spring 2022 Peace Week, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Papers Presented

Adamson, H. J. (2023). Beyond a binary: Investigating criteria of insiderness in peacebuilding. Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference. Fairfax, VA, USA.

Mattix, M.K.(2023).  Are We Achieving Unity? Comparing Current Initiatives Addressing Political Polarization with Community Experience. National Conference for Undergraduate Research. Eau Claire, WI, USA.

Sherwood, N. R. (2023). Psychological resilience within insider peacebuilders: Promoting the mental health of grassroots change agents facilitating post-conflict reconciliation. International Studies Association 2023 Convention, Montréal, Canada.

 Sherwood, N. R. (2023). Why international relations needs mental health: A new nexus of research, theory, and practice. International Studies Association 2023 Convention, Montréal, Canada.

Hill, O.T. (2023). How does Narrative Form and Inform our Moral Prescriptions and Political Solutions?: Stability, Liberation, and Nation. Peace Week at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Hill, O.T. (2023). The Intertextuality of Latter-day Saint Deconversion: Comparing the Moral-Politics of President Nelson and the Ex-Mormon Exodus. American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting.

Adamson, H. J. (2022). Beyond a binary: Investigating criteria of insiderness in peacebuilding. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution Fall 2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium. 

Adamson, H. J. (2022). Investigating insider reconcilers. The Office of Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research Virtual Celebration of Student Scholarship and Impact Summer 2022. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA. 

Mattix, M. K. (2022).  Lessons on Dialogue within Polarization; A Comparative Study in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Northern Virginia Mediation Network Conference, Virtual.

Mattix, M.K. (2022). Political Polarization in the American Christian Church; A Comparative Study in Lake Charles, Louisiana. International Association of Reconciliation Studies Conference, Arlington, VA, USA

Mattix, M.K. (2022).  Political Polarization in the American Christian Church; A Comparative Study in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research, Summer Celebration of Scholarship at George Mason University, Virtual.

Sherwood, N. R., Hill, O. T., & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 on an international sample of religious leaders: A comparative case study approach. International Studies Association 2022 Convention, Nashville, TN, USA.

DeLury, M., Sherwood, N. R. & Vaughn-Guy, C. (2022). How to be an anti-racist… research: Developing and implementing the Anti-Racist Research Audit Tool. American Education Research Association 2022 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, USA.

Sherwood, N. R. (2022). Holistic wellbeing & humanitarian workers during COVID-19: Concepts, challenges & recommendations. International Studies Association 2022 Convention, Nashville, TN, USA.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). Holistic wellbeing & humanitarian workers during COVID-19: Concepts, challenges & recommendations. Social Practice of Human Rights 2021 Conference at the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA.

Adamson, H. J., Sherwood, N. R. & Hill, O. T. (2021). Who are insider reconcilers? A qualitative investigation of local peacebuilders engaged in international reconciliation processes. International Studies Association North-East Virtual Convention, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). Holistic wellbeing & humanitarian workers during COVID: Concepts, challenges & recommendations. Benjamin V. Cohen 2021 Peace Conference, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R., Hill, O. T. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2021). Who are insider reconcilers? A person-centered ethnographic investigation. Benjamin V. Cohen 2021 Peace Conference, virtual.

Hill, O.T., Sherwood, N. R. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2021).  Reconciliatory approaches to conflict resolution: Approximating expert knowledge using the Delphi method. Benjamin V. Cohen 2021 Peace Conference, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R., Hill, O. T. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2021). Who are insider reconcilers? A mixed methods investigation of their theory of change, strategies & wellbeing in the field. International Studies Association 2021 Convention, virtual.

Hill, O. T., Sherwood, N. R. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2021). Towards a new agenda of reconciliation research and practice: Utilizing the Delphi method to synthesize practitioner and scholar reconciliation models. International Studies Association 2021 Convention, virtual.

Hill, O. T., Sherwood, N. R., Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2021). Reconciliatory approaches to conflict resolution: Approximating expert knowledge using the Delphi method. George Mason University 2021 Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R., Hill, O. T. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2021). The impact of COVID on an international sample of religious leaders: A comparative case study approach. George Mason University 2021 Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference, virtual.

Hill, O. T., Sherwood, N. R. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2020). Reconciliatory approaches to conflict resolution: Approximating expert knowledge using the Delphi method. International Studies Association Northeast 2020 Conference, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. (2019). “Joy is an act of resistance”: Modeling resilience in resettled Syrian refugees with disabilities. Social Practice of Human Rights 2019 Conference at the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA.

Posters Presented

Adamson, H. J., Sherwood, N. R., Hill, O. T., Jackson, A. & Pentikäinen, A. Y. (2021). Who are insider reconcilers? A qualitative investigation of local peacebuilders engaged in international reconciliation processes. Florida Psychological Association Division of Graduate Students 2021 Conference, virtual.

• 3rd place, 2021 Florida Psychological Association’s Division of Graduate Students Poster Competition.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). Holistic wellbeing & humanitarian workers during COVID-19: Concepts, challenges & recommendations. Florida Psychological Association Division of Graduate Students 2021 Conference, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). Holistic wellbeing & humanitarian workers during COVID: Concepts, challenges & recommendations. American Psychological Association 2021 Convention, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). “Fighters with only sad stories to fight with”: The possibilities of a transformative mental health intervention in Gaza, Palestine. International Studies Association 2021 Convention, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. (2020). Towards inclusive resilience: Challenges, syntheses, and guidance for future research. American Psychological Association 2020 Convention, virtual.

Accepted for Presentation 

Sherwood, N. R., Jarque, G., Jenkins, J. & Schwartz, D. (2021). Building resilient communities: Insights from two experiential workshops at Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2019 and 2021. International Conference on Psychology, Counseling and Education 2021, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). The possibilities of a transformative mental health intervention in Gaza, Palestine. Conflict Research Society 2021 Conference, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R. (2021). Holistic wellbeing & humanitarian workers during COVID: Concepts, challenges & recommendations. George Mason University Graduate Interdisciplinary 2021 Conference at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.

Gopin, M. & Sherwood, N. R. (2021). Compassionate Reasoning: A new peacebuilding practice incorporating insights on ethics from psychology and public health. International Studies Association 2021 Convention, virtual.

Shedd, J., de Coning, C., Olson, L., Silburt, A., Mesjasz, C., Wilkinson, D., Millar, G., Gregorian, H., Posposil, J., Smith, J. M., Piereder, J., Brosig, M., Lawrence, M. M., Sherwood, N. R., Tombe, S., Pike, T. & Ilunga, Y. Y. (2021). Complexity / complex systems research in peace and conflict studies. International Studies Association 2021 Convention, virtual.

Sherwood, N. R., Andrews, C., Eloubideh, S. & Reuter, T. K. (2020). Resettled Syrian refugees with disabilities: A comparative analysis of health, inclusion, access to services, and resilience. American Psychological Association 2020 Convention, Washington, DC, USA.

Sherwood, N. R. (2020). Whose resilience is it anyway? Towards a paradigm shift in resilience studies. George Mason University Graduate 2020 Interdisciplinary Conference at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.

Shedd, J., de Coning, C., Olson, L., Silburt, A., Mesjasz, C., Wilkinson, D., Millar, G., Gregorian, H., Posposil, J., Smith, J. M., Piereder, J., Brosig, M., Lawrence, M. M., Sherwood, N. R., Tombe, S., Pike, T. & Ilunga, Y. Y. (2020). Complexity / complex systems research in peace and conflict studies. International Studies Association 2020 Convention, Honolulu, HI, USA.

Reuter, T. K. & Sherwood, N. R. (2020). The health situation, access, and inclusion of Syrian refugees with disabilities in Jordan and Turkey. International Studies Association 2020 Convention, Honolulu, HI, USA.